The interior of this labyrinth is divided into four levels, each one larger as you go deeper. Moreover, Adam Bennett knew very well that in places like this, there were usually some labyrinth guardians. Judging by the ruins of the Great Stone Dynasty that had been excavated on the continent, a labyrinth of this size would at least have mechanical knights or powerful beings like iron golems. The pinnacle technological achievements of the Great Stone Dynasty allowed these lifeless humanoid weapons to move freely, even wielding powerful weapons and advanced combat techniques. Their metal armor made them nearly impervious to blades and arrows, making them virtually invincible on the battlefield. However, on the Ice Continent, no country allowed private ownership of these unearthed, fully functional iron warriors; only a few mechanical knights that had lost the ability to move became ornaments for the nobility and wealthy of various nations.

Of course, the true high nobility always had some unwritten rules—for example, dismantling a certain part to turn a functional one into a broken one, thus allowing them to openly possess these millennia-old treasures. And no one would risk offending such powerful figures by accusing these privileged elites with deep backgrounds.

Although Adam Bennett was confident in his swordsmanship, he didn’t think he could cut through these iron monsters. Therefore, every step he took was cautious, carefully avoiding the dangerous areas marked on the map.

Just then, a flurry of footsteps sounded from behind. Adam Bennett turned to look and was taken aback.

“It’s you? I didn’t expect the Royal Guards to be so formidable, actually tracking me all the way here!”

Luke Thompson glared fiercely at Adam Bennett. Only six subordinates remained behind him; two Royal Guards had accidentally fallen to their deaths while climbing the treacherous slopes of Mount Berlusconi. On such steep and perilous peaks, those two Royal Guards surely couldn’t have survived.

Having lost a finger and eight subordinates, this pursuit had filled Luke Thompson with boundless rage, and his hatred for Adam Bennett was now irreconcilable. After all, he had been selected from among thousands to join the Royal Guards, and his tracking skills were top-notch. Sixty percent of the Ice Continent was covered in snow year-round, so snow tracking was a specialty of the Royal Guards. Even the blizzards of Mount Berlusconi hadn’t completely concealed Adam Bennett’s trail.

“Kid! Draw your sword and fight for your life one last time! There’s nowhere left for you to run here!”

Adam Bennett looked at the man nearly twice his age and suddenly broke into a brilliant smile. Although both sides had braved the blizzards of Mount Berlusconi, Luke Thompson looked far more battered than he did. The Royal Guard uniform had been torn into rags by the ice and snow; though the thick leather armor beneath was still decent, the expression on his face had long since lost its composure and poise.

The six Royal Guards behind Luke Thompson also wore grim expressions. Even Owen Foster harbored deep hostility toward Adam Bennett, though they hated this wretched mission even more than their actual target, Adam Bennett.

Adam Bennett’s smile greatly irritated Luke Thompson. With a sudden angry shout, he slid forward, a flash of light in his palm as his longsword left its sheath.

Clang!

Adam Bennett drew his sword just in time to block the thrust. He was still a youth, his body still developing, so his arm strength was no match for Luke Thompson. Normally, he would have been at a disadvantage in a direct clash. But this probing block surprised Adam Bennett—the force behind Luke Thompson’s sword was greatly diminished.

“So, this guy didn’t rest at all while chasing me, never recovering the strength he lost in the snow! Luke Thompson, you fool, you’re as good as dead!”

Adam Bennett’s sword sank, and with a quick twist of his wrist, his blade changed direction in a flash. Luke Thompson’s body, stiff from the cold, reacted a beat slower than usual. Seeing his life in danger, a Royal Guard stepped in just in time to block the blow for him.

“Damn it!”

Adam Bennett’s sword flashed, and in a single motion, he opened a deep gash in the chest of the guard who had come to protect his master. However, he didn’t press the attack, instead stepping back, letting his sword tip drop gracefully, performing a gentleman’s salute commonly used in military duels, leaving behind a gentle smile as he turned to run.

Luke Thompson flew into a rage, shouting for his men to give chase. However, neither Luke Thompson nor his subordinates had recovered their stamina, and this hasty pursuit threw the seven Royal Guards’ formation into disarray.

At this critical moment, the agile youth, nimble as a trained reindeer, suddenly leapt up, pushing off the stone wall to his left, and, like a soaring eagle, flipped over. This time, a deadly gleam flashed in Adam Bennett’s eyes. As he somersaulted over the heads of Luke Thompson and his men, he swept his sword horizontally, slashing deep wounds across the throats of two Royal Guards who were slow to react.

In a single, simple clash, Adam Bennett and Luke Thompson’s group had switched positions—now Adam Bennett was near the exit of the ruins. The Royal Guard who had just received a deep gash in his chest, the pain searing through him, now found himself a step behind, and to his shock, realized he would have to face this now somewhat terrifying youth alone.

“Thank you, I’ll pray for you!”